It would certainly be interesting to similarly see Ferengi trading with the Dominion during season seven, when the war was taking its toll on the Dominion too.

It'd be interesting to see which kinds of Ferengi did it- the desperate, who most non-Dominion types wouldn't trade with. Those who fell for an impressive bargain early on and now want out. Some who were swept along when their old Cardassian partners or Breed changed sides.

It would certainly be interesting to similarly see Ferengi trading with the Dominion during season seven, when the war was taking its toll on the Dominion too.

It'd be interesting to see which kinds of Ferengi did it- the desperate, who most non-Dominion types wouldn't trade with. Those who fell for an impressive bargain early on and now want out. Some who were swept along when their old Cardassian partners or Breed changed sides.

I like the idea that the Ferengi "government," whatever that might actually be, has no stance while its people are just trading with anyone. Some want the stable and known customers of the Federation, while others see ways for the Ferengi to flourish under Dominion rule. One could argue that the Jem' Hadar could offer all of the security needed for a stable free market to flourish with an Alpha Quadrant that no longer needs to have people working and investing in massive fleets.

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I like the idea that the Ferengi "government," whatever that might actually be, has no stance while its people are just trading with anyone. Some want the stable and known customers of the Federation, while others see ways for the Ferengi to flourish under Dominion rule. One could argue that the Jem' Hadar could offer all of the security needed for a stable free market to flourish with an Alpha Quadrant that no longer needs to have people working and investing in massive fleets.

There is the Grand Nagus, who does direct the species to an extent.

They might not be overly strict about it and individuals breaking off edicts is fine, but I do think the Nagus can say, "Hey, this would be bad for business for all of us," and advise Ferengi against it.

And the ability to make such proclamations can help protect Ferengi even- "Do something that messes with our interests and you may lose our business."

Though there is a point that they may have kept official neutrality under the idea that *when* the war ending, they assumed both sides would exist and need third party negotiators like themselves.

Ferengi ethics aren't what Quark says they are. There are two examples of them wanting to sell captives into slavery, in ENT and TNG, Quark himself used forced labour when the Cardassians ruled DS9, and had a longstanding ambition to join...

The Orion Syndicate, who have all the creepy sex slavery you can shake a stick with.

Perhaps he meant that the Ferengi have never enslaved other Ferengi, because they sure as fuck enslave others, and he personally used slaves and wanted to buy into the slave trade. But then, we have no evidence that Hutts have enslaved other Hutts either.

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Ferengi ethics aren't what Quark says they are. There are two examples of them wanting to sell captives into slavery, in ENT and TNG, Quark himself used forced labour when the Cardassians ruled DS9, and had a longstanding ambition to join...

The Orion Syndicate, who have all the creepy sex slavery you can shake a stick with.

Perhaps he meant that the Ferengi have never enslaved other Ferengi, because they sure as fuck enslave others, and he personally used slaves and wanted to buy into the slave trade. But then, we have no evidence that Hutts have enslaved other Hutts either.

The Ferengi seem to have a double standard when it comes to slavery, since with the exception of the ENT episode, technically speaking the ferengi aren't ones doing the enslavement it's either the the cardassians or the orion, now to us and most likely the federation it doesn't make any difference.

However from a ferengi point of view they (as far as Quark knows) never enslaved anyone just used people enslaved by other people, while this is one hell of a hypocritical double standard it would fit the ferengi character.

EDIT:seeing as The Orion Syndicate has been known to practice slavery at least far back as 2250s (the orginal TOS pilot spoke of "orion slave women"), most likely as far back as 2150s (aka when NX-01 had encounters with the orion), it would be highly unlikely that Quark wasn't aware of the fact that Orion Syndicate practiced trafficing of sapient beings aka slave trade.

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The Ferengi also themselves have an indentured labour system, and of course, regard women as property. To the point that head of household males can sell family members on Indenture.

The Ferengi are Hutts with a marketing advisor, but provide no more freedom.

We don't really see the dark side of the Ferengi enunciated as clearly as it is with the Hutts, though.

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"We believe in the systematic understanding of the physical world through observation and experimentation, argument and debate and most of all freedom of will." ~ Stargate: The Ark of Truth

I'm guessing the Orions are big and Quark just would join *another* industry in it, but yea, "we don't technically practice slavery but we work with those who do," is not much moral highground to start with, before getting into the indentured labour system.